5 unique Japanese experiences

When dealing with your Japan bucket list, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed: there are so many cool things to do, and so little time! That’s how I felt as we were planning our first trip to Japan together.

Among everything we did, it’s easy to pinpoint which were the most unique Japanese experiences, the ones that I will remember forever and that I recommend to all those who are going to explore this magical country. Keep reading to discover them, together with my efficient tips and Darek’s spontaneous ideas!

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Stay in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn

For our honeymoon, we knew immediately that we wanted to enjoy the traditional Japanese hospitality of a ryokan. We ended up spending three nights in three different establishments: it was amazing and absolutely worth the expense!

What is a ryokan?

A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese Inn. Think of a cozy room, with paper sliding doors, a low table to kneel at while sipping tea, and sleeping on comfy futon mattresses on the tatami rice-straw mats on the floor. You even get a yukata robe and slippers: it doesn’t get any more Japanese than this!

Many traditional Ryokans are family-run businesses for generations. It feels really exciting to enter these small buildings, often built with wooden timbers, and experience their heart-felt hospitality. You can find these ryokan in small towns or in the outskirts of larger cities.

There are also larger, more modern Ryokans, which from the outside look more like Western hotels. They are more common in hot spring destinations, but just as genuinely managed.

In general, some features are shared: the focus is on traditional hospitality instead of modern comforts; the winter heating or the summer cooling may be partial or temporary; bathrooms and toilets may be present in only some rooms, and shared on the corridor with other rooms. Different styles of ryokan are very well explained here.

How to enjoy your stay in a Ryokan

Prepare to experience Japanese traditions and hospitality to a very high level.

First of all, take off your shoes as soon as you enter the Ryokan. Store them neatly and use a pair of slippers to move around the property. It is very disrespectful to bring the dirt from the street into a clean home. When you get to the room, leave the slippers outside of the door, and enter the room wearing only socks, or the specific room slippers.

At check-in, if you have meals included, they may explain to you how it works, agree on a time to serve them (usually around 6 PM), and show you where the meals are served. Also, the onsen (the hot springs, read more below) may have opening and closing times, or may change to accommodate separately men and women.

After check-in, savour the details of your room. Even though Japanese décor is quite minimalist, there may be a small origami on a shelf, or carvings above the doors. If you check-in during the day, the futon bed will be folded up in a wardrobe; the staff will prepare it for you after dinner (although we prepared it ourselves on one occasion, and it was hilarious).

Staying in a ryokan is all about relaxing. Very often there is a water kettle: sit or kneel at the table and enjoy a cup of tea, like there’s no rush in the world. Go explore the onsen and relax in the hot water (more on that in the next section). Wear the yukata robe. Enjoy the panorama from the window.

After dinner (see the next paragraph), the staff will prepare the futon mattress on the tatami floor, together with the pillow and the duvet. They may do it themselves, or they may show you how to do it yourself. Either way, they will be kind and polite, respectful the way only Japanese people can be. Make sure you show them your gratitude!

In the morning, breakfast may be served in your room, or in another room. You can move around the ryokan wearing the yukata and the slippers.

Food at a ryokan: kaiseki ryori dinner and breakfast

A large part of why you should stay in a ryokan in Japan is the kaiseki ryori cooking style. Kaiseki ryori meals consist of several small portions of different types of food served in a very artistic way, either all together or one after the other, to provide a full show of the different tastes of traditional Japanese cuisine.

The most exciting part for us was that we understood a tiny fraction of the explanation of the staff: as soon as they finished telling us what fish was this and what vegetable was that and how that fruit was prepared, we had already forgotten everything, amazed by the magnificent table of food prepared in front of us!

In the three ryokan where we stayed, we experienced the kaiseki ryori dinner and breakfast in slightly different ways. On one occasion, meals were served in separate, private rooms: just a table to kneel at, with simple chairs, surrounded by paper doors. On another occasion, the full meal was brought to our room, all the dishes were arranged on the table together. The last time, the meals were served in our room, but only 2-3 dishes were brought, giving us time to savour them before the next ones course came.

Both dinner and breakfast feature many different dishes: ready-made dishes, like tempura and fried food, eggs in different styles, boiled vegetables, pickled vegetables; there is usually fish and meat, cooked in unusual and unexpected ways; rice comes towards the end, as well as something sweet. The most enjoyable part is a pot of boiling water or a pan over a flame, where you may cook slices of meat or raw vegetables the way you like it.

Even without a waiter guiding you through the meal, like in a western Michelin restaurant, it is an incredible experience. You are dressed in a yukata robe, kneeling or cross-legged on a tatami floor, mixing and matching flavours, exploring new textures and ingredients. I can’t wait to do it again!

Be efficient: Staying in a ryokan can be expensive (average prices start from 10000 yen per person); before freaking out, consider that the price you see includes relaxing in your room, going to the onsen, enjoying an incredible dinner, sleeping, breakfast, and possibly more onsen time (there may be cheaper options without onsen or without meals). I’d rather spend one night in a ryokan and 6 in a hostel than staying always in average hotels. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for: there are basic, cheap ryokans as well as luxurious, pampering ryokans.

Take advantage of offers: book in advance directly with the property or with a local agency. Especially if you plan to stay at a ryokan in a small town, try to contribute as much as you can to the local economy, instead of sharing your money with big multinationals of tourism.

If you have serious food allergies, contact them BEFORE booking. You will get better service before making a reservation, you will know exactly what to expect, and you can still change your mind if there is no solution for the meal. But if you book without asking, and then expect the property to accommodate your unrealistic desires, there is a high chance that something will go wrong, or that the Japanese hospitality obligations will drive the staff crazy.

Be spontaneous: Follow your natural rhythms! You’re outside of the city: let go of your worries and relax. Go to bed when you’re tired. You may get to wake up early to go to the onsen, to soak in the spectacular warm waters before breakfast.

Relax in an onsen

During his first trip to Japan, Darek fell in love with Japanese hot springs. I agree 100%! There is something special about these magical places: the water is so warm that it reaches your soul, and the setting is both deeply relaxing and somewhat exciting at the same time. Going to an onsen is definitely a Japan must-do experience!

What is an Onsen?

An Onsen is a Japanese hot spring. By definition, they use naturally hot water from geothermal source, with very specific chemical elements.

An onsen can be located by a river of thermal water or built on top of an underground thermal spring. However, some establishments use heated tap water, such as the impressive Sky Spa at Candeo Hotel Namba in Osaka: such a relaxing experience!

There are outdoor onsens (called roten-buro) and indoor onsens.

Onsens can be public or private. Public baths are present in hot springs destinations and also in some large towns (if the water is just heated tap water they are called sento); private onsens are available in ryokans and hotels.

Onsens, bathing, self-care and cleanliness are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, to the point that there are ceremonials and behaviours expected when visiting an onsen.

Main features

The most important features of a Japanese onsen is that nudity is required, hence men and women are separated. There will be either separated entrances, or separated corridors, leading to separated pools. Some onsens may have private pools where a couple can go to, without being disturbed by strangers.

How to behave in an onsen

You are entering a very important place for Japanese people, so it is important to treat it with respect.

Swimsuits are not allowed. If this makes you very uncomfortable, consider going to a private onsen, or going to a more modern water park.

Also, tattoos may not be allowed, as they are associated with the yakuza mafia. You may be requested to cover it, or you may be refused entry.

Even in western spas and pools it is required to shower before entering; in Japan, it is even more important to wash yourself with one of the available buckets, next to the pool, to show the locals that you are clean and worthy. Tie up your long hair.

You will receive a small towel or washcloth (sometimes you should bring it with yourself) : leave it at the edge of the pool, or fold it and place it on top of your head (you will see examples around you). Do not soak it in the water.

Even though onsens are peaceful places, friends will still chat while relaxing. If you meet anyone’s eyes, nod and smile. Once, in Zao Onsen, two ladies where very kind and welcoming, asked me where I was from, and wished me a lovely stay when they left.

The water will be really hot! Show your confidence by entering slowly but firmly, without shying away from the heat. Especially between men, don’t feel the pressure to show a fit body, instead feel comfortable in your own skin – especially if you have a belly!

Be efficient: Bring an extra towel, to dry before getting dressed. If you plan to shower before continuing your day of sightseeing, you may want to figure out in advance if showers are available (e.g. Not at Zao onsen). Some natural waters will smell of rotten eggs, and your clothes will remember it! If you have any tattoos, check in advance if they are allowed or not (Darek has two, one on his back and one on his foot, and never had problems).

Be spontaneous: See an onsen while sightseeing? Just go! Relax and enjoy. The air around the pool is warm enough to dry you up, and your clothes will do the rest.

Praying at a Japanese shrine or temple

Many religions overlap in Japan: all Japanese are Shinto by default, but about half of them practice Buddhism, and around one million are Christian.

Even though I started to read up on the history of religions in Japan, it is a subject way too large, deep and important to grasp. Still, I really enjoyed visiting Japanese temples and shrines, not only for the fascinating history and architecture, but also to pray: it was a more private, intimate and spiritual experience, than the religious and compulsory feeling I get when attending Christian service.

In extremely simple words after very little reading: Shintoism is the indigenous religion, which is more of a philosophy that favours harmony and cooperation according to the will of the “kami” gods present in natural phenomena; Buddhism arrived to Japan later, it was first incorporated into Shintoism, and then expanded into its own religion.

Difference between Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples

Shinto shrines are called jinja, but the suffixes -jingu and -gu are also used. The torii gate in front of them marks the separation between the earthly and the spiritual world. The shrines, where the “kami” god dwells, are usually simple structures made of wood, with a grass-thatch roof, but many variations also exist.

Fushimi Inari-Taisha in Kyoto is an example of a shiny, red shrine, while Meiji-Jingu shrine in Tokyo blends within the large park that surrounds it.

Buddhist temples, on the other hand, are called with suffixes -tera, -dera or -ji. The gate can be as imposing as the temple itself; the main hall houses the principal image of the Buddha, and some temples also have a pagoda.

Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo and Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka are massive, bright red Buddhist temples; instead Todai-ji, in Nara, is more sober with its natural wooden colors, but displays an enormous Buddha statue within.

How to pray at a Japanese shrine or temple

There are three elements of worship: purification, offering and prayer. During festivals, there is also the sacred feast, which consists of consuming the food offered to the kami.

Start the purification by washing your hands and mouth at the fountain in front of the shrine: first the left hand, then the right hand, then your mouth, and finally the cup.

Proceed towards the temple with your offering, such as a coin to throw in the box – a fifty yen coin, with the hole in the centre, is considered lucky.

Finally, begin your prayer by ringing the bell; step back and bow twice, clap your hands twice. Pray in silence, then bow again. In a Buddhist temple, there’s no clapping or bell-ringing, just silent praying.

Be efficient: Always have a coin to toss in the container, and remember to bring with you the Goshuincho booklet to collect the stamps! It will make the perfect souvenir from Japan.

Be spontaneous: Take your time to observe the locals, their attitude and behaviour, even their clothes. What are they praying for? Where do they come from? What brought them there? So many stories are walking in front of your eyes.

Try a Samurai training

This was the perfect birthday present for a Japan lover: to celebrate Darek’s 50th birthday, we booked a Samurai experience in Tokyo. Among all the things to do in Japan, this is definitely one of the most fun ones! For 1 hour, we got to wear traditional Samurai clothing, learn a few combat moves, and put them together in a staged fight. It was really exciting and entertaining, both for newbies like our friend Adam and me, and for more passionate and knowledgeable people like Darek.

What happens at a Samurai training

We met with Jiro, the trainer, at Yumenoya Tours, close to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, at the rental studio for kimonos and traditional clothing.

After being helped into our Samurai outfits, Jiro took some professional photos of us, wielding the katana in static and aggressive poses (don’t worry, it’s a fake katana). This really put us in the mood!

The training started with details on how to hold the katana and how to draw it from its sheath – being precise was harder than we thought. A slash, a lunge, drawing the katana back: each movement was commented with the reason why they were performed in that way, and what effect it would have in combat.

Finally, the trainer showed us the steps of a choreographic fight, forward and backward, which ended in the defeat of one fighter by the hand of the other. We used all our theatric talent and we really enjoyed performing it!

Be efficient: Wear comfortable clothes, but not too warm, because you will wear the Samurai outfit on top of your own clothes. It’s not an intense training, but it may make you sweat.

Be spontaneous: Enjoy the photoshoot! Pull your most aggressive, scary expressions, as well as your best composed and noble ones.

Discover the details of the Japanese tea ceremony

If you appreciate the deep sense of care for details of Japanese gardens and kimonos, you will love the tea ceremony. We were quite skeptical at the beginning, but were quickly captivated by this traditional Japanese experience!

What is the Japanese tea ceremony?

It is an ancient tradition centered on the preparation and drinking of green tea according to very specific rules, whereby the guests enjoy the hospitality and company of the host, while slowing down from the fast pace of life.

The tea used is called matcha, powdered green tea; the host whisks it into a frosty brew and presents it to each guest, one by one.

Very specific wooden tools are used throughout the ceremony, as well as tea cups: they aren’t shiny china cups, but rough, handmade cups.

The Japanese tea ceremony experience

The typical tea ceremony for tourists and travellers will include the host preparing and serving the tea according to the specific rules that his/her school teaches, with carefully selected equipment. A Japanese sweet called wagashi is served, which should be eaten before drinking the tea.

The tea master will explain the way to drink the tea: how to turn the cup, lift it, drink it, and put it back on the tatami floor.

The ceremony finishes when the host washes the tools. It lasts approximately 45 minutes.

There are many variations to the tea ceremony.

• Many experiences include a hands-on experience: you will try to follow the instructions and prepare the green tea yourself!
• It may be possible to rent a kimono
• There can be an explanation of customs and traditions, before or after the ceremony
• There are private and group experiences

Our tea ceremony experience in Kyoto

We were lucky enough to enjoy a private tea ceremony in Kyoto. The owner and manager of the inn where we were staying, Uronza Guesthouse, is also a tea master! We registered for the tea ceremony one morning, which was performed for just the two of us.

It was such a fascinating performance, almost like a dance. Each movement was completed in its own time and with the utmost precision, each tool moved and used for its exact purpose, and we were invited to sip the tea in a very specific manner. After this wonderful show, there came the unexpected part: it was our turn to prepare and serve the tea! This part was quite hilarious, but the master was extremely patient and kind. The left hand here and the right there; move the brush vertically, not around; leave the spoon reverse; start with your right foot now, and left foot later… We got so many things wrong, but this only helped us understand how important and wonderful this traditional Japanese ceremony is.

Take a look at the tea ceremony in the first couple of minutes of our vlog!

Be efficient: More than efficient, be patient! It is a slow ceremony to be savoured in every detail. Prepare yourself to sit or kneel for a while: if your joints cannot handle it, check with the organizers before booking.

Be spontaneous: There is no space for spontaneity in this carefully designed ceremony. Appreciate its perfection.

Conclusion

There are so many unique Japanese experiences that we would like to share: tasting Kobe beef, seeing Fuji, wearing the yukata, and many more. However, these are the ones that make us travel back to Japan again and again, dreaming with excitement.

Let us know what you enjoyed in the comments! Cheers!